Living in the Lion City

2007-07-15T19:44:00.000+08:00

Fake Buddhists Monks (Sunday Times 8 Jul); and
Fake Buddha Tooth (Sunday Times 15 Jul)
Last week it was fake monks begging for alms in Singapore. This week it's questionable Buddha's relic. $45m was raised to build a temple to house a tooth said to be from Buddha. Experts sy it looks like a cow's tooth. Frankly, if I know anything about buddhism, Buddha should be turning in his grave (if he had one) if he knew people were keeping pieces of him let alone worshipping it. People who donate money to house relics, even if authentic, for worship seems not to have understood the teachings of Buddha.

A tale of true humanity (ST, 14 July)
On Hainan Island, a rag-and-bone odd job labourer has been taking in and adopting baby girls abandoned by their natural parents trying to have a son to carry on the family name. All over almost 2 decades he has taken in 10 or more girls. With his meagre income, he still manages to ensure that his children, natural and adopted, get an education and have a better future. When he sent his eldest adopted daughter, who was 19 by then, off to Shenzhen to work, it was a tearful separation as she had never left home before. The father cried all the way back on the bus. When the daughter offered to send money home for the family to celebrate Chinese New Year, he told her to keep the money for her own use, as he did not raise their children in order to make money from them.

As I read this story, I was thinking that if this man applied for PR status in Singapore he would probably be denied. He had no education, and no wealth to offer Singapore. And yet, what he could offer was the immeasurably more precious human heart and the compassionate soul.

Instead, we accept the rich and "talented" who are not afraid to use their talent to further enrich themselves materially (and in so doing, enrich Singapore). While some are probably nice people, the selection criteria probably doesn't favour philanthropy or compassion.

If Singapore is already crassly materialistic, the future with more immigrants of similar ilk, does not seem likely to be any different.

Who's misbehaving?

With the headlines, "Ok. Ok. I'll behave. Don't shoot." The Sunday Times (15 Jul) probably thought it was a fun picture to show a Spl Ops Command Officer pointing his gun at at 11-yr-old.

The Officer should know better than to do that. His weapon is not a toy, and even in basic weapons handling he should have been taught
1) Treat all firearms as loaded. 2) Never point a firearm at anything you do not want destroyed or killed.

There is a third rule: never let the breaking of the 2nd rule be captured in the national press. Yes, it's NDP, and maybe the kid was willing to pose for it, and maybe the dumb photographer asked for the pose. You should still be professional enough (or at least smart enough) to say no.

Guess who's gonna get a reprimand?

2007-06-30T01:41:00.000+08:00

About Sovereignty

Brunei and Singapore celebrated 40 years of currency interchangeability by releasing new $20 notes with a same back - scenes from Singapore and Brunei, but with different fronts - Brunei $20 with their sultan, and Singapore $20 with Yusof Ishak.

At the press conference, Brunei described the notes as signifying that the countries were two sovereign nations on one side, and the close cooperation we had on the other. One comment left on the ST online was that this currency interchangeability meant that Singapore was vulnerable to the manipulations of Brunei. For example. North Korea is believed to be counterfeiting US currency. Our arrangement with Brunei would open us to the same risks.

However, that is only a possibility and not a probability, and the comment was alarmist at best and I don't think anyone took it seriously. However, what is interesting was mention of sovereignty by the Brunei leader, and the confidence that this 40 year cooperation should continue. Actually, if either country should be worried, it should be Brunei, as they have the natural resources to back their currency, but Singapore's backing is based on years of building up the reserves. In the early years, they probably had a greater risk that Singapore would just print money, and flood Brunei with "cheap" Singapore dollars. Even now, Brunei with less than 1/10th of Singapore's population probably have more reason to feel threatened but does not.

Both countries deal with each other with mutual respect as sovereign nations. There is no question that this arrangement would threaten the sovereignty of either.

In contrast, Malaysia feels their sovereignty is threatened all the time, whether it's the water issue, the causeway/bridge issue, our land reclamation programme, or our investment (or consultation) in the Iskandar Development Region.

Indonesia also feels necessary to raise the issue of their sovereignty over the Defence Cooperation Agreement which was tied to the Extradition pact. Now they want to amend the DCA because they feel their sovereignty is being threatened.

Thailand also felt necessary to raise the "Singapore boogeyman" with their concerns over the security of their mobile phone communications because of the Singapore ownership of one of their telco. The coup general has since admitted that it was a strategy to rally support of the the Thai people.

I thought it interesting that Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, all vastly bigger countries with larger population than Singapore would worry that a small island state of 4m people could threatened their sovereignty, while Brunei, one of the smaller countries in the world (tho still larger than Singapore) with a population less than 1/10th of Singapore is not.

Of course, it's arguable whether a currency interchangeability agreement is more threatening than any of the other issues. Probably not.

2007-06-09T20:07:00.001+08:00

M'sian PM weds again
ST 9 June

Congrats Pak Lah!

The Judgement of Paris.
ST online 9 June
Judge overrules Sheriff electronic monitoring and orders Paris back behind bars. It's a simple life.

Wild Ride in a Wheelchair
ST, 9 June 2007

And here we were wasting our time getting bus fitted with wheelchair ramps! :-)

2007-06-05T22:31:00.000+08:00

NETS faces competition? What competition?

Nets' chief executive officer Poh Mui Hoon said that Nets has 'no choice' but to increase fees to ensure that banks will continue issuing their cards.

There are some 600,000 debit cards in use in Singapore now and as these pay better revenue, the banks prefer to issue them. If Nets does not offer the issuers better rates, it will disappear from the scene, like domestic debit schemes in Portugal and Belgium did, she added.

Does she think we are stupid or what? Banks will stop issuing NETS card? What NETS card? You mean the one we use to draw money from ATMs? So banks are going to stop issuing ATM cards? The first bank that tries that will see a run on their bank as deposits are withdrawn and accounts are closed.

NETS is owned by the banks (DBS, OCBC, & UOB) so the argument is that NETS is in competition with itself (the debit cards) so need to raise fees?

And so what if they haven't raised rates in 22 years? As someone else has pointed out, these are rates, it grows as the turnover increases.

I'm moving my money to Citibank. They have ATMs at every MRT station. That's pretty convenient.

2007-06-02T00:27:00.001+08:00

About 2 months ago, there was a launch of a residential development in Johor with hundreds of bungalows for sale following the wake of a few optimistic announcements of developments in Johor known as the Iskandar Development Region (IDR).

I don't have that kind of money to invest, but even if I had, I was skeptical. Quite a few Singaporeans have been burnt in such land development schemes that intentionally or not became scams.

A few weeks after that promo at HDB Hub, there was another promo at Suntec, and this time a man turned up with newspaper cuttings and a testimony to warn potential investors of the risks of investing in M'sia. He was one of those who had been burnt previously. He had invested in a development project but halfway through the developer ran out of cash or just ran out. The project was stalled and remained unfinished, and uninhabitable. Then looters started stealing whatever was there.

The Singapore investors had no recourse, no help, no hope.

The new IDR has the backing of the M'sian govt and it is clear that they are committed to the project and the vision of what it promises.

But the people are not behind it. How long can they be committed? How sure can we be of the commitment? What happens if, because of Singapore's investment in the IDR, the PAS wins Johor in the next election?

The M'sian govt is making all the right noises, but the people are making all the wrong ones.

What we have here is a barking dog who's also wagging it's tail. Which end should we believe?

Technorati Tags: Singapore, Malaysia, Iskandar, Johor, Investment, Politics, Causeway

2007-05-19T11:39:00.000+08:00

Dealing with Govt is a pain.

Bernie Ecclestone candidly said that he found dealing with the Singapore Govt, a pain. Mahathir had previously said that Singapore Govt is also inflexible.

A glimpse into the back stage negotiations was given when it was revealed that at all stages the govt kept raising operational issues and questions that had to be resolved. I think businessmen like Bernie Ecc and Ong Beng Seng were used to shaking hands on the deal in principle and sorting out the niceties and details as they arise. Their personal relationship and trust would smooth over any bumps.

However with govt personal ties only goes so far. Personality is not a good basis for business with the govt. Mahathir and Abdullah are a contrast in styles and approach and Singapore's relationship with Malaysia, is more dependent on the personality of the Malaysia leader than the shared economic interests and potential for collaboration.

Similarly, on hindisght, the security of Temasek Holdings investment in ShinCorp could also be said to be tied to the personal influence of Thaksin, rather than on indisputable legal foundations.

The fact is that govt leaders changed. Sometimes as a matter of succession, sometimes a little more forcefully, like Thaksin. Furthermore, there is a tendency to treat the govt as the safety net when things go awry. That's when the govt will see its commitment and expenses grow beyond the budget.

So it is good and prudent to spell out the details of any deals clearly. Good fences make good neighbours. Good agreements make good deals.

2007-05-18T00:53:00.000+08:00

Blogging for Change

There's quite a bit of navel-gazing and meditation going on as bloggers asks, "What is the point?" This after all the sound and fury did nothing to change the govt's plans to proceed with the Minister's pay hike.

One suggestion is to stake out your battleground and build up your support:
http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/05/16/the-next-step-proactive-blogging/

But that's just tactics. The lessons just doesn't seem to catch.

Bloggers and political critics don't seem to get it.

For years, the govt did not agree to casinos. It was only when the casino option was seen as being necessary for Singapore's economic success that the govt reversed its position.

The govt had stopped motor racing, and even rejected a bid to host the F1 in Singapore. It reversed that decision when it saw how much Malaysia was benefitting from the F1.

The anti-gay laws on our law books have been there for years and the govt is still defending their anti-gay stance. But there are some evidence linking creativity to the "gay index".
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/IE17Ae01.html

And Singapore sees creativity as a major ingredient for Singapore's future success, so that means we may be reversing those laws soon.

So go ahead and blog about man's inhumanity to man (or PAP's inhumanity to man), and human rights, and freedom, and justice, and human dignity, and ideals, and nobility, integrity, and sentimentality. It will make for great reading.

But if you want to get the attention of the government, you got to show them the money.

2007-05-15T20:12:00.000+08:00

New Sand, New Maids, World's fastest walkers.

British researchers have concluded that Singaporeans are the fastest walkers in the world, which is a proxy measure of just how fast-paced life in those cities are.

How did Singaporeans get to be such fast walkers? Like all things, training.
First of all, our MRT train doors are times to close almost immediately after opening. This gives Singaporeans only a split second to get into the train, so they have to move fast! even as they sidestep the commuters trying to get out.

Second of all, our pedestrian crossing lights all come with a countdown timer so you'll be timed as you cross the road. Surprisingly, we have received reports that rather than increasing the walking speed, pedestrian crossings actually slows people down. Numerous drivers have cursed these slow-moving cattle that cuts down on their turning opportunity.

Pedestrians who are usually capable of walking far and fast, sudden come to complete stops when they get on escalators and travellators. This phenomenon is still being investigated.

Anyway, the jaded Singaporean asks, what's the practical use of such a finding? It's not going to change my life!

Ah but that's where you're wrong sir!

Think about it at about 20m per 12 sec (the study found that we cover about 18m in just over 10 sec), the average Singaporean covers up to 100m in 1 minute.

That means that if your home is now within 500m of an MRT, the town centre or other public amenities, you can now truthfully claim that it is just a "5 minute walk" from those amenities.

1 km away? Just 10 minutes walk!

Buangkok Station could have been open earlier!

Newsand

So after Newater, there is new sand. Fortunately we don't have to shit it out. New sand uses copper slag waste which is from our shipyards where the copper slags are used to blast clean vessels. The used slags are used to replace sand for making concrete. Eco-concrete is expected to be as strong as regular concrete.

There are also other advantages. The copper in the concrete may mean that lightning strips may not be needed for buildings constructed with eco-concrete. Of course it also means those metal thieves could leave a gaping hole in your wall. You would also be living in a Faraday cage and your cellular phone signals may not get through.

Hmmm eco-concrete may be the ideal material to build future cineplexes!

New Maids
After Philippines imposed a minimum wage for their maids, Indonesia has decided to follow suit. At this rate we will have to come up with new maids to replace those.

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/robots/japans-makes-maid-robot-that-surprisingly-looks-like-gundam-not-a-sexy-lady-240846.php

Let's get some Japanese robot maids.

2007-05-11T01:51:00.000+08:00

The worst investment ever!

Let's say you heard of a job opening up. It's contract work. 4 years. Pays $100,000 per year. Would you spend $10m to try to win that job?

Shift now to the US Presidential election campaign. The job is a four year term. It pays $400,000 a year. The two leading Democratic candidates are expected to raise and spend $500m each to win the presidency (ST 9 May 2007, "Cash fuels the race for the White House").

There are things not upfront in the picture.

Pipeline is a go

M'sia's PM has announced the $11b northern pipeline to shortcut travel through the Straits of Malacca is on. And this guy's not prone to saying one thing and doing another. Competition for Singapore is on!

But I thought I read somewhere that it takes 3 days to offload a supertanker (VLCC) and just 2 days to go down the straits. Well, it's an option.

2007-05-08T11:32:00.001+08:00

I'm sometimes bemused by people's reaction to things that do not concern them.

Wong Li-Lin, a judge on "The Dance Floor" collected some money to give to a dancer she felt had talent, tho did not win, as the winner is determined by sms voting. (i.e. popularity).

She did no disparage the winners, but understanding the tough life of a dancer decided to encourage the one she thinks has the most talent.

That's like anyone of us giving money to a cause we believe in. Should you question the choices of someone who gives money to SPCA when there are elderly in need of food and shelter? Should you quarrel with people who donate to the arts when there are developmentally delayed children who could use the money for special education?

Choices.

2007-05-04T14:34:00.001+08:00

So apparently, the blogosphere is dying.

http://diodati.omniscientx.com/2007/05/02/state-of-the-singapore-blogosphere-may-2007/

Must be the thinning Ozone layer.

Bloggers have bee closing down their blogs. The disappointment over the ineffectiveness of blogging as a way of changing the government's decision was the last straw, it seems.

It's unfortunate. Think global act local. Or in other words, give me courage to change what I can, serenity to accept what I cannot and wisdom to know the difference.

Too much courage, not enough wisdom and serenity.

So over lunch I was talking to my colleague about this. Perhaps, I said, this was all a conspiracy. By making such a big deal about this, and then dashing the hopes of the bloggers, the government had anticipated that bloggers would then curl up and die from sheer frustration and exhaustion.

Nah, said my colleague. The govt is smart, but not that smart.

Well, yah. Maybe not this time around, but the govt can learn. The next time it has a very controversial plan, it will first discuss another slightly less controversial plan, dash all the hopes and see bloggers die off. Then it will introduce the very controversial plan and not worry because all the critical bloggers would have died off! That's now a standard operating procedure for govt controversial policy announcement.

Those whom the govt seek to destroy, they first make mad with frustration.

Passion needs a climax to satisfy and sustain. Without a climatic resolution, there is dissatisfaction, frustration, and disengagement.

To endure in this, passion needs to be tempered with pragmatism, and wisdom.

Technorati Tags: singapore, blogs, singapore politics, conspiracy, minister's pay

The influence of Bush

2007-05-04T11:47:00.001+08:00

Okay, so George Bush is a lame duck president at this point in his presidency, but not even in the top 100? That's ridiculous!

Time Magazine list of 100 most influential persons in the world did not include Bush, but had Oprah and Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat) made it.

I may not agree with or like Bush. I question his intelligence and his religiousity puts him almost in the same fanatical league as the terrorists he is fighting, but as the president of the US, he still wields power and influence. Certainly as president of the sole superpower, his influence even at his lowest level is still higher than most people.

2007-05-03T22:13:00.000+08:00

You don't know what you're talking about!

http://singabloodypore.rsfblog.org/archive/2007/04/11/singapore-ministerial-civil-service-pay.html

Singaporeans will be Singaporeans. Whether in authority or fighting authority, they have the same response to foreigner's opinion that they don't accept.

When foreigners criticise Singapore's government or our way of doing things, the government responds by blocking the publication and telling them to mind their own business.

When a foreigner praise the PAP, anti-govt citizens tell the alien that he's just a visitor and don't know what he's talking about and to mind his own business.

I guess when you've become the thing you oppose (or use the same tools or weapons) they've already won.

And such ridiculous hyperbole: "People living on less than a dollar a day With no food, no home and no education is better than people living in social inequality with no justice, no freedom, no democracy, the rich will become richer and the poor will become poorer after
another 40 years of ruling."

It's only because you have food, a home and education that you can complain about social inequality, injustice, lack of freedom and democracy.

Or by social equality do you mean everyone is equally poor?

Youth is wasted on the young, and Singapore is wasted on the Singaporeans.

2007-04-30T14:35:00.001+08:00

Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Watterson

Calvin asks, "Dad, how come old photographs are always black & white? Didn't they have color film back then?"

"Sure they did," answered Calvin's dad. "In fact, those old photographs ARE in color. It's just that the WORLD was black and white then."

"Really?"

"Yep. The world didn't turn color until sometime in the 1930s, and it was a pretty grainy color for a while, too."

"But then why are old PAINTINGS in color?! If the world was black and white, wouldn't artists have painted it that way?"

"Not necessarily. A lot of great artists were insane."

"But... But how could they have painted in color anyway? Wouldn't their paints have been shades of gray then?"

"of course, but they turned colours like everything else did in the '30s"

"So why didn't old black ad white photos turn color too?"

"Because they were color pictures of black and white, remember?"

Later, Calvin says to Hobbes, "The world is a complicated place."

Hobbes replies, "Whenever it seems that way I take a nap in a tree and wait for dinner."

-----------

I like this story because it illustrates the point that truth is usually simple and lies are complicated. So the whole thing about Minister's salary - simply put, in black and white, is about greed and enriching the rich.

Or is it?

The explanation for why Ministers pay must go up is also simple: it's lagging behind the benchmark and if Singapore is to attract talent in govt, it must pay Ministers better.

Then all the arguments about why Ministers' pay must stay low are complicated explanations about altruism, sense of duty, national service, honour, privilege and all that.

Someone did an interview with David Marshall, former Chief Minister of Singapore and he denounced the high $60,000 and $90,000 monthly salary of the PM and the Ministers then (1994). See this link:
http://thinkhappiness.blogspot.com/2006/08/meeting-david-marshall-in-1994.html

He went on to say that he only made $8,000 a month.

But that was 50 years ago. $8,000 a month in 1957 dollars? Back then you could get a bowl of mee for 5 or 10 cents. Now the cheapest you can get is $2. That's 20 to 40 times more. Extrapolating from that, $8k then is equivalent to at least $160k now. And that's not too far off from the new pay.

So how should ministers be paid? Should they serve for the sheer "joy and excitement of public service" as David Marshall says?

Complicated.

I'll take and nap and wait for dinner.

What's the Best Government for Singapore

2007-04-28T18:09:00.001+08:00

Where the Economy is run by the PAP, the trade unions is headed by the Workers Party, and the Town Councils are run by Chiam See Tong?

Just a question. :-)

2007-04-25T02:51:00.001+08:00

MM Lee said that he understood the emotions associated with the issues, but that he found the fuss over the Minister's salaries "completely unreal", because there were larger issues at stake.

One might comment that MM Lee is out of touch with what's "real" if he found the "hoo-ha" unreal.

I think he moves and thinks at a level that most of us never reach. I say this with respect. But others would say the same with disgust.

2007-04-20T01:36:00.000+08:00

Sex in Singapore

Annabel Chong's story has been made into a musical "251" and got mentioned on "1 Track Mind".

http://1trackmind.com/2007/04/18/1trackmind-27-fckingmachines-penis-cafe-annabel-chong/

Annabel, wherever you are, I wish you all the best.

Bypassing Singapore

2007-04-18T02:48:00.001+08:00

Malaysia is planning to build a 312 km oil pipeline to short cut travel through the piracy-prone Malacca Straits (Straits Times, 17 April). The pipeline would save about 2,000 km in travel. The plan is to build an oil refinery on the west coast of Kedah where crude oil would be received and refined, and then sent over the pipeline to the Kelantan coast where the oil will be distributed to other countries, notably China, which has an insatiable appetite for fuel as it develops.

Meanwhile, in another report (ST 17 April also), NTU researchers found that piracy attacks in the Malacca Straits have hit a 10-year low.

So... no need to build oil pipeline that would bypass Singapore, or refinery to take business from Singapore.

This is the Kra canal threat in another form.

Hmmm.... threat of pirate or terrorist attack on shipping, particularly oil tankers in the Malacca Straits, or threat of terrorist attack on oil refinery or a 312 km static pipeline? At least the oil tankers are a moving target, no?

Then again, Northern Malaysia borders Southern Thailand where there have been a lot of unrest. Again, a security issue.

And didn't Malaysia lose like million dollar shipment of Intel Chips in Penang to some daring robbers?

Then again, maybe it's best to spread the risk about. Maybe the terrorist will see Malaysian refineries and oil pipelines to be an easier target than Singapore's oil refineries and bunkers.

2007-04-13T23:43:00.000+08:00

The elephant in the living room

I don't mean this elephant:

Task of jumbo proportions, not for the squeamish
http://sewerserpent7.livejournal.com/#asset-sewerserpent7-528

I mean the Great Debate on Ministers' Salaries Part III.

It was debated to bits while I was overseas. Then when I was back, it was debated again. Like most if not all Singaporeans, I couldn't accept it at first. Then I did. Maybe it's because I know people and I'm not the envious sort. I've accepted it as necessary and I haven't really followed the news. There is no new arguments from either side. The only new twist is the juxtaposition with the debate a few weeks ago on the public assistance handouts. Tens of dollars vs hundreds of thousands of dollars.

It's been talked and blogged to death, but if I don't say anything about it, I may seem out of touch with reality. Or Singapore. Which some people claim is unreal.

I think most people can't accept paying Ministers higher salaries because there is some kind of envy, some kind of socialistic robin hood need to take from the rich to give to the poor. Some kind of idealistic self-delusion where they tell themselves, if I were in their shoes, I would NEVER do what they did, those selfish bastards.

It makes people feel good about themselves. Feel superior. Or maybe they just don't want the rich to get richer. They just want themselves to get richer.

It is an emotional issue and people confuse the issue, drag in irrelevancies, make non sequitur leaps of logic, confound the situation with unrelated matters, and make unwarranted comparisons.

For example, one argument and it's variant is that Ministers a) do not need that salary, b) do not deserve their salary, c) should not need that salary to serve, d) are not doing work that is worth that kind of money, e) are overpaid compared to other leaders who have much greater responsibility, and f) should not be benchmarked against the private sector because it doesn't matter who's up there, it's always the top people.

This argument misses the point completely. It's not so much about what the job of Minister pays. It's what else the person can make in other jobs. If you are a brilliant professional who can make $4m a year, why should you give up a lucrative career for $1.2m a year? or $1.8m? For the sheer joy of serving? Riiight.

Most Singaporeans will say, tell you what, why don't you play-play run the govt, don't bother me, I have to go make some real money. And if we get some cheap talents who don't make the grade, would the brilliant professional then decide to step up to the plate and serve? Well, he might. Or he might just go someplace else where he can do better business or make more money.

The Ministers' salaries have to be substantial enough so that good minds will weigh the "sacrifice" of foregoing their lucrative careers as not too much of a deterrent.

The problem is not that our current crop of ministers will leave if we don't up their pay. The problem is that the govt will have trouble recruiting potential new leaders if we don't.

So I say, pay them to attract new blood. Don't let Singapore become like NKF. T. T. Durai started with good intentions. Then he "lost the plot."

Pay them well upfront. So they don't have to wheel and deal and try to give their families a better life in unethical ways.

2007-04-10T15:10:00.001+08:00

Benchmarking Minister's Salaries to the lower income

Another interesting article on the Online Citizen. This one proposes that Minister's salaries be benchmarked to the lower income.

http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/04/09/ministers-salaries-losing-touch/#more-276

Left my comment there too. Hmmm... might be turning into a commentary blog? *sigh*

Mr Leong does make a very good point about benchmarking to the lowest income to motivate political leaders to raise the income of the lowest paid workers in Singapore.

There would seem to be an inherent bias that if I know my pay is benchmarked against the top 50 paying professionals, I would be motivated to see what policies i can make to raise their salaries.

That said, the salaries of the top 50 or 100 people in any field in the private sector are not likely to be affected by govt policies much. I’m pretty sure that Wee Cho Yaw’s salary is not much affected by govt policies directly. Moreover, the richest in the country are also the most mobile. Given enough disincentives or disadvantages, they will leave taking their business and their capital with them. In IR-speak, we must know how to treat the whales well.And while there is a lot of things the govt can do to raise the salaries of the lower income (e.g. minimum wage, protecting industries,preventing layoffs/retrenchment) in the long term, these policies maynot be in the best interests of Singapore. I agree with the principle that the income of poor should be a deliverable that contributes to the decision as to whether Ministers salary goes up or down, but at this point it is at best a concept.

2007-04-10T03:05:00.001+08:00

The Ideal Politician

I saw this on The Online Citizen:

http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/04/05/be-mindful-of-the-affective-gap/#more-273

And left a comment

Ms Lim’s points were well put and as she built her argument and spelt out the disjunct between leaders and people, she held my attention.

Then she got to this point, “For while the ideal political leader is imbued with nobility of purpose and altruistic instincts, the ideal CEO is impelled by the very opposite - raw ambition and ruthless drive. The first set of qualities is desirable for a life of public service; the second would be disastrous.”

From all the jokes and stereotypes about politicians, I do not know if an “ideal political leader” as she describes exists.

I would like to believe that such idealistic people exists. But the reality is that most people with talent choose to exercise their talent for their own benefit.

There are few Mother Teresas or Dalai Lamas in this world and the fact that these are spiritual and religious leaders says something about their calling. For every Mother Teresa, there are tens if not hundreds of Saddam Husseins, Hitlers, Stalins, Pinochets, Idi Amins, and Ferdinand Marcos who are morally ambiguous if not downright evil, to the sadly incompetent like George Bush, Habibie and Abdurrahman Abdul Wahid.

The reality is that hell is paved with good intentions. The situation in Thailand is an example. The coup was meant to reverse the damage of a corrupt Premier, but well intentioned or not, the effect has been less than laudable.

Indonesia’s Suharto was also corrupt, but he nevertheless kept things stable. After he was overthrown, there was a series of ineffective presidents that did little to bring the country forward effectively. Well-intentioned though they may be.

Ms Lim’s description of the politician reminds me more of a social worker. And while I respect and admire the social worker, I am not sure that a social worker would necessarily make a good political leader. A friend of mine once commented in the aftermath of the overthrow of Suharto: so what if he’s corrupt. At least he’s competent. Instead there’s now a series of honest, incompetent presidents. And we’re not even sure if they are honest.

My point simply is this: the “ideal politician” does not exists. Or he does not exist in sufficient numbers to form the government. Ms Lim practically confers sainthood on the selfless, sacrificing politician. You may find one in every 2 or 3 generations. The rest of the time, you make do with people who would be CEOs.

In the absence of competent selfless people, the reality is that we have to make do with competent selfish people. And to ensure the competent selfish people are not tempted to corruption, we must pay them well.

Perhaps if we had, we would not have had the sad incident of Mr Teh Cheang Wan.

2007-04-08T14:32:00.000+08:00

Singapore is not a democracy

Democracy literally means "people rules". Thank god the people don't rule. Not directly anyway.

Not in Singapore, where we elect our government every 4 or 5 years. Not in the United States, the so-called bastion of democracy, where they elect their governors, their senators, and their president.... sort of. Indirectly.

Singapore is not a democracy. Then again, neither is the USA. or any other so-called democracy, because in between elections, the people really don't have much to say about unpopular decisions. Decisons like going to war in Iraq. Or increasing GST. Or giving Ministers a pay raise.

If people really ruled on a day to day basis, then there would be less globalisation. More immigration controls. More protectionism. More traffic jams arising from more cars on the road. No casino (or casino 30 years ago). No national service. Probably more wars.

Because basically, people are selfish, small-minded, and short-sighted.

Fortunately, democracy as practised in Singapore, and most other places, relies on people making a decision once ever 4 or 5 years to elect people who will make long term decisions. In other words, a Republic, or rule by representatives. In this case we are a democratic republic, in that we elect our representatives (MPs) who then form the government.

And "long-term" is relative to the circumstances.

The two-party system in the US also means that everytime there is a change in majority, the country changes its priority. The relatively stable political situation in Singapore means that generally, long term, really means more than just 5 years down the road.

And so that is how we get decisions like the Casinos. Oh wait. I mean the Integrated Resorts or IR. Which, coincidentally are the same 2 letters in front of IRAS.

There are also bad decisions on hindsight. Like Suzhou. And Shincorp. At least we didn't invade Iraq.

The point is that government is about decision making and it is not rocket science. It may be harder. (ST 8 April 2007, "Successful govt not rocket science? It may be tougher", Janandas Devan). People who casually dismiss such policies as no big deal need to see the bigger picture.

When the rains came, our biggest deal was a few flooded plant nurseries. Johor had not one but 2 bouts of flooding with tens of thousands of people displaced. Jakarta apparently floods on a regular basis... when it's not covered in soot from the forest burning.

MM Lee suggested that the best argument is a bout of incompetent government. The problem is that the govt has succeeded so well, that is it inconceivable that Singapore could fail. His comments has been mocked as fear-mongering. Perhaps.

I guess then the opposition's platform for the next election is simple: Vote for the opposition and when we form the govt we will cut our salaries by 50%. $1m should be enough. And we can come up with the same, "no big deal" policies. We may even raise the public assistance to $400 instead of the miserable $290.

Yes. i do believe the PAP has dug their own grave with this pay rise. :-)

2007-04-08T02:09:00.002+08:00

Indonesian police have decided that the sabotage at the Karimun granite quarry was business-related - "probably the product of unhealthy business competition".

I guess the anti-Singapore climate formented by the Indonesian political leaders were not relevant. Nor the possibility that some overzealous nationalists taking matters into their own hands to halt export of granite to Singapore was even considered.

It was just business competition.

Right.

At the time of the blasts, barges bound for Singapore with granite had been detained (and are still being detained) on suspicion of sand smuggling. Excuse me, how long for the Indonesian Navy to ascertain if there is sand under the granite? It's been over a month!

So at the time of the sabotage, there was no competition. Production had slowed and workers were retrenched because of the de facto granite export ban, and the fact that no barge owners want to risk getting their boats detained indefinitely.

Business competition? The business is closing down fast.

2007-04-02T20:48:00.001+08:00

Singtel's new CEO will be earning $5m a year. The previous CEO, Lee Hsien Yang was paid $2.2m a year. If that figure looks familiar, is this the proposed new salary for Ministers. Lee Hsien Yang's brother, Prime Minister Lee probably earns only $2m. But if the new salary for Ministers and PM are approved, PM Lee can finally beat his younger brother.

2007-04-01T00:22:00.000+08:00

To: CEO
SBS Transit

RE: MISSION STATEMENT, TAGLINE FOR SBS

Dear Sir,

I wish to draw your attention to the plaque or notice you have at the Toa Payoh Bus Interchange. To wit, I quote:

SBS Transit
2 Million Passengers
1 Mission: To go the extra mile

2 I wish to inform you that we have received numerous complaints that your passengers would rather you did not go the extra mile; try to get them straight to their destination.

3 One example in particular come to mind. Service 78 which runs from Jurong East looping at Clementi Central, back to Jurong East. Now we have checked with twenty independent and impartial drivers as the the fastest route from Jurong East Interchange to Clementi Interchange. 95% said that the best route would be to take the Boon Lay Way/Commonwealth Ave West route. Only 5% (a taxi driver) proposed going by the CTE.

4 The route taken by Service 78 goes through Jurong Town Hall Road, Penjuru Rd, Pandan Industrial Estate (Jln Buroh), West Coast Road, before entering Clementi.

5 We have checked with the complainants and clarified that while they do not mind SBS going the extra mile, they do object to being charged for the extra mile that they did not really want.

6 As such, we are proposing that you change your plaque/notice to properly reflect your policy. For example, "To go the extra mile... and charge you for it."

7 Please see other alternatives we thought you might like to consider in the annex.

Yours faithfully

Director. Ensuring Truth in Notices
(no signature required so you cannot forge my signature)

ANNEX - ALTERNATIVE TAGLINES/SLOGANS FOR SBS TRANSIT

a) "To go the extra mile... whether you like it or not."

b) "To go the extra mile... because govt said so, regardless of whether its appropos to transit companies."

c) "To go the extra mile... because this is the latest "hot" phrase. Next time it might be 'Not re-inventing the wheel'; or 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'."

d) "To got the extra mile... because its on the route map and if you don't like it, well, too bad!"

2007-03-30T22:18:00.000+08:00

In the News

Pirate Haven Singapore (ST Mar 28). The 3rd part of the Pirates of the Carribean movie has a scarred Chow Yun Fat in a Singapore from an indeterminate past. It was a more interesting Singapore with stilt houses, back alleys, and I gather, an overall seedy atmosphere that makes it perfect as a pirates stomping ground. Most Singaporeans took the depiction of Singapore in their stride, and Chow's depiction of a Chinese pirate as a role.

Chinese (as in from China) response however, has been more... emotional, calling the role demeaning and insulting.

Excuse me. He's playing a pirate. So even Chinese pirates must be shown to be virtuous, upright, and honourable men in touch with the grand and glorious history of the greatest civilisation in the world?

Me thinks, perhaps the protesters doth protests too much.

Fearful Mahathir (29 & 30 Mar, ST). Over the last two days, the press have been reporting Mahathir's speech on Thursday where he criticised the plans for the Iskandar Development Region in South Johor. The plans include opening up investment to foreigners and lifting ownership quotas for businesses in the region. Dr M claimed that this would lead once again the the Malays being enslaved by foreigners.

"Enslaved Again?" Didn't know they were ever enslaved. British colonial rule? Oh that enslavement. Right. A bit of hyperbole there. Good for public speeches.

Well, Dr M, there was that New Economic Plan that was in place since 1969 to level up Malay's ability and share of the economic pie. That was 35 years ago, and 22 of those years were under under your leadership. And you still say that you believe in Malay ability, but that as of now they are not able to compete internationally? Perhaps the problem is that protection, means never needing to compete on equal footing?

If you want to improve your tennis game, you got to play with better players. Perhaps Mr Abdullah understands that a little better than you.

F1
So while we have been dreaming about Ferraris zipping past the Esplanade, M'sia has been worried about what it would mean for their F1 spot. Okay, it was only their Youth and Sports Minister who said she was worried. She even said that Singapore shouldn't compete with Malaysia. One Malaysian said it was strange that Malaysia would feel this way given the previous challenge from the Johor ports to try to wrest business away from Singapore ports. Oh wait, the Youth and Sports Minister is only 44. That means for most of her formative years, she has experienced the New Economic Policy that has protect Malays from competition. Too bad it doesn't extend to Singapore, eh?

Not to worry, Malaysia has come back with an answer. They can also host a night race to boost TV audiences! Nice one Sepang! :-) (Hmmm "see pang" in Hokkien means square right?)

Bullet Train To Singapore.
As predicted, Singapore went, "Huh?". But it was the Malaysia Minister who shot down the story. (Mar 28) New Straits Times, your bad.

2007-03-26T22:52:00.000+08:00

Here's the news...

Singapore, Malaysia approves bullet train. (26 Mar) The New Straits Times citing unnamed sources from a Malaysian conglomerate said that the governments of Malaysia and Singapore had approved plans for a bullet train from KL to Singapore.

Based on past experience, the Singapore Foreign Affairs Ministry should be issuing a "huh?" the next day. If it is confirmed by the Singapore Government, I'll... stop blogging for a few days.

DVD Pirates put bounty on dogs. (23 Mar) Malaysian movie and music pirates put a contract out on the sniffer dogs that busted their million dollar cache of DVDs. They are now trying to confuse the dogs by spraying chemicals on their DVDs. So next time you go to your friend's place and he plays you the latest Ghostrider DVD, take a sniff. If it smells like curry, it could be fake.

At least the DVD pirates aren't thinking too smart. One suggestion for drug dealers is to pretend to be blind, get a guide dog and hide the drugs up the dog's anus. Then when he passes the narco dogs, it is only natural for dogs to sniff each others arse and the narco officers will never get suspicious.

So now you know why there are so few guide dogs in Singapore.

Probably won't work with DVDs tho... (ouch!)

Granite quarry blast could be deliberate - Indon police. (26 Mar) Gee. You think? It's all well and good bashing Singapore for the sake of (Indonesian) Nation building. But when people start believing your stupid rhetoric and start engaging in terrorist activities, then the demogogic politicians are no better than radical fundamental Islamists militants...

Minister's Pay. What can I say that has not been said? $2.2m a year? That's about $183k a month. Or $6,100 per day. Or $254 per hour. If he sleeps 8 hours each night, that's $2000 gone! If we don't count sleeping hours, that's still $382 per hour for every waking hour. If he's constipated and spent 30 minutes in the loo, that's $190 down the toilet!

2007-03-10T17:15:00.000+08:00

To: Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Education (MOE)

RE: ACRONYM FOR MOE

Dear Sir,

I wish to draw your attention to the acronym for your Ministry.

2 MOE as you may not have realised is the name of one of the Three Stooges. Moe was not only the name of one of the Three Stooges (the other two being Larry and Curly who have both lent their names to a Jewellery Company, as well as the name of a type of fries), he was arguably the stupidest of the Three Stooges.

3 Thus it is absolutely inappropriate for the Ministry that is responsible for the education of Singapore's future to be named after the stupidest of the Three Stooges.

4 I understand that when my officer approached your Ministry informally on this matter, one of the unofficial comments was that "Who remembers who the Three Stooges are?"

5 May I remind you that those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it. More so with the Ministry charged with the responsibility of teaching History, among other subjects.

6 For your convenience, we have shortlisted a few alternative acronyms for the name of your Ministry in the annex attached. Please consider them, and let me have your decision by the end of the week.

Regards,

Director Of Naming
(No signature required because I dunwan to sign, can?)

Annex: Alternative Names and Acronyms for MOE

MOS: Ministry of Studying (could be mistaken for Ministry of Sound, and "borrow" their "hip" quotient)

MOH: Ministry of Homework (not recommended as we already have an MOH. Might cause confusion.)

MOT: Ministry of Teaching (also not recommended as we already have a MOT. Might cause confusion.)

MEI: Ministry for Educational Institutions. (Unofficial Favourite among our staff. Some of our staff have been dating your teachers, so we know what we talking about. Possible side effect: your staff may be called "Ah Meis".)

MITCh: Ministry of Institutions for Teaching CHildren. (No negative connotations for "Mitch"... except that it rhymes with "bitch". Already one of my staff has been referring to a certain Sr Deputy Director in your Ministry as "the Bitch from Mitch". Sorry.)

MILF: Ministry of Institutions for Learning Facts. (We don't see a problem with this one.)

2007-02-23T11:34:00.000+08:00

So the General Medical Council (GMC) of UK has lost their right to police themselves after they failed to detect how one of them (Harold Shipman) had systematically killed over 200 patients over 20 years (ST 22 Feb 2007).

The inquiry into the case found that the GMC was too focused on "looking after their own".

How's this related to Singapore?
The Singapore Medical Council had raised the Shorvon case to the GMC only to have the case dropped by the GMC who had a cursory review of the case and decided that Shorvon had nothing to answer for.

Shorvon was the UK researcher who was doing medical research in Singapore and had arbitrarily changed medications without regard for patients welfare. He escaped to the UK.

In view of this development, the SMC should appeal the decision.

2007-02-11T16:26:00.000+08:00

Now on Technorati.

Technorati Profile

2007-02-11T16:08:00.000+08:00

So Mahathir ends the little truce and comes out swinging.

He warns Abdullah not to let his son-in-law become PM because as a democratic country Malaysia should oppose any attempt to create a political dynasty. "In our country," he's reported to have said, "anyone can be the PM. Even the fisherman." But not the son-in-law of the PM. Or a homosexual.

And he accused Abdullah of being intolerant.

"Hello, Kettle? This is Pot. You're Black."

So who was it that persecuted his DPM with charges of homosexuality and kick him out of the political party just because the DPM didn't agree with him?

Sorry, that should have been: "Hello, Snow? This is Pot. You're Black!"

He was also reported to have said:
"We should quickly renegotiate the water deals so we can raise the price of raw water we sell to Singapore." That way Malaysia will have more incentive to sell water to Singapore and Johor won't get flooded. So ya, it's Singapore's fault that Johor flooded. Because we didn't buy more water. Instead we make our own water!

2007-02-07T17:59:00.000+08:00

City of Garden and Water
So PM Lee has announced that Singapore should aim to be a City of Gardens and Water. Jakarta says, Pfffttt!!!! We're already halfway there. Just need to work on the gardens part.

PUB in Singapore says, "Then why we work so hard!!!!"

The nurseries at Thomson Road says, "So we are ahead of time lah?"

2007-02-02T02:14:00.000+08:00

Newater, new sand.
So when Malaysia cut off our water supply, we came up with New Water.

Now that Indonesia has cut off our sand supply, what? New Sand? Are we going to be shitting bricks? It's also called night soil, right?

Behind the scenes after the soccer match...
So as the Malaysian Referee walks into the tunnel, he is met by Thaksin who shakes his hands and hands him a briefcase full of cash. Then as he walks further down, he meets Mahathir, who takes a cut. Then Mahathir walks out the tunnel to the waiting Thai players and shares the payoff with them.

2007-01-31T18:25:00.000+08:00

What's news?

Singapore-Malaysia-Thailand
Mahathir said that "Singapore believes that the most important thing is what profits Singapore" in an interview with Thai TV. Oh well, I guess Malaysia doesn't believe that the most important thing is what profits Malaysia and Thailand doesn't believe that the most important thing is what profits Thailand. That must be why Thailand shot itself in the foot twice with the currency controls and the foreign ownership rules and managed to chop their stock market performance down for 2006.

And that explains why Malaysia nd Thailand is doing so much better than Singapore economically.

ASEAN cup
So if Singapore beats Thailand tonight, I guess the Thais will claim that we eavesdropped on their strategy through their handphones. And if we lose... well we lose. :-)

Crazy Horses iGallop
So Crazy Horse is closing down. They've extended the show by another 4 days. But they're closing. When they go, we can just put 7 iGallops on stage and feature naked women riding on them. On Wed, it would be amateur women's night. On Thursday, it will be men's night. And on Friday, the foreign brides agencies can put on their best girls to see if they can get a husband.

2007-01-11T22:43:00.000+08:00

T.T. Durai first thought he could talk his way out of the SPH suit, but after two days, he realised that he was bing forced to tell more than he wanted, and nothing he say would make him look good. So realising his lost cause, he threw in the towel and dropped his suit against SPH.

Subsequently, this week the New NKF sued him and after the opening statement by the opposing counsel, he realised that as the case dragged on, he was going to be dragged through the mud. Wisely, he decided to save his name and concede.

In two or three months time, he will face criminal proceedings. It is also likely that after hearing the opening statement by the prosecution, he will decide to cut his losses and plead guilty.

Which means that he will never have to answer personally the questions that is on everyone's mind.

The only way to make him speak is if the remaining respondents in the current case, decide to call him as a hostile witness...

Then we will hear from the horse's mouth.

2007-01-10T18:26:00.000+08:00

T.T. Durai concedes "no case" after 2 days of trial (ST Jan 10). Previously he had dropped his suit against SPH after just 2 days. I guess "T. T." stands for "two-day trial".

However his other co-defendents are fighting on. I guess their defence now is, "it's Durai's fault!"

The hearing for damages will be in 12 months. 12 months! Why so long! Because lawyers charge by the hour.

Also, this has turned out to be almost an all Indian affair - Durai, Shanmugam, and Judicial Commissioner, Sundaresh Menon. Just an interesting note.

AppleTV and Apple iPhone has been unveiled (ST Jan 10)! Now you can watch all those YouTube clips on a full screen TV!... why would I wanna do that?

Thailand continues to show why the Military cannot run a country (ST Jan 10). After announcing that foreign share of ownership cannot exceed 50%, the Finance Minister goes on to say that of the 2,400 foreign businesses, only about 1,300 will be affected. Right. More than half. Only.

Then they promise to listen to businesses and will adjust. Next time, listen first. That foot in your mouth? Leave it there. It will remind you not to talk first. As if the lesson from the currency control fiasco was not learnt at all.

A whale destroyed a small trimaran (named "loose goose") off New Zealand, but the sailor said the whale apologised (ST Jan 10). I guess that makes it okay then.

Pfizer, the drug company that makes the drug that keeps your hotdog big, is now selling a drug that will help your dog get small (ST Jan 7). Right. While bird flu still dogs us, AIDS, Diabetes, Kidney failure, not to mention hunger, malnutrition still hounds the human race, in the midst of all this human misery, someone decides that it is worthwhile to make a diet drug for dogs. It will cost US$1 to US$2 a day.

Excuse me. You have a fat dog? Stop feeding it. Feed it less. What's it gonna do? Fix its own supper? Open the fridge take out the steak and cook it? Get the dog food from the kitchen cabinet, work the electric can-opener and eat? Or wait til you're asleep and chew on your toes?

The new drug shouldn't be taken by humans. It may cause nausea, headache, abdominal pain, or other side effects. My guess is... they worked on a drug for humans, couldn't counter the side effects, so are selling it for dogs. Hope they don't suffer the side effects.

2007-01-06T14:43:00.000+08:00

Headline, Jan 6, 2007: Singapore win world Optimist title

No. It doesn't mean what you think it means unless you know that in the context of sailing, an Optimist is a class of sailboat.

2007-01-06T14:32:00.000+08:00

Jan 6, 2007
Osim belts recalled: 2 caught fire

LIFESTLYE products company Osim is recalling 3,000 units of a new electric slimming belt, after two caught fire while being charged.

The company said the lithium-ion batteries in its new uZap Minis could have overheated while charging and caught fire.

No injuries have been reported. The company yesterday advised customers to stop charging and using the belt, which retails at $148.

Sales of the belt have been halted.

Man: Honey, that uZap mini I bought for you? You have to stop using it.

Woman: Why? It's great! I can feel it burning the fat off my tummy.

Man: That's the problem, Honey. Remember last night when you were using it and I thought I smelled burning flesh?

Woman: Well, yeah. It hurt, but like you said, no pain, no gain.

2006-12-30T17:12:00.000+08:00

So the "School of the Future" will be ready in 2008. Guess that means the rest of us went to what kind of school...?

The National Council of Problem Gambling is inviting comments or feedback on whether the exclusion order (the one that disallows you to enter the casino) should be permanent, limited or revocable. That is, if you have recovered from gambling addiction, could you apply to be allowed into a casino. I say, if you have been cured of your gambling addiction, why would you want to go back in there?

The recent (and perhaps on-going) deluge of rain has wreaked havoc to our neighbours to the north and south. This little red dot remains mostly above water. Way to go!

Then there were those on landed property which had landslides landing on their property.

School bus operators have the perenniel problems of trying to charge for June and Dec, claiming that they had overheads in those months as well. I sympathise. Now why don't they just factor in those two months and just charge the 10 months fees with those 2 months built in. It would mean a 20% increase but there would be no charge for June and Dec. Problem solved. If the operators have trouble saving the extra, their association can perhaps help them with a savings plan of sorts.

A Judge gave a drunk Bomb Hoaxer just 6 months jail because she found that he had no malicious intent. She also said police should have procedures in place to distinguished between genuine tip-offs and drunken acts of foolishness. So if you have a genuine tip-off, please don't be drunk when you call the police. Or if you're drunk and want some fun, and have nothing to do for, oh, the next six months... Pfffttt!

In Malaysia, the Sisters In Islam intends to conduct a survey to see what impact polygamy has on families. They intend to ask questions like how family expenditure on clothes and other necessities are affected when the man takes another wife. Well, if you're going to ask THAT kind of questions... why bother? Limited resources. Increased dependents. No brainer.

2006-12-21T21:08:00.000+08:00

Faith and Choice

Those who have faith ask me: what comfort does atheism bring?

They are right of course. It offers no comfort. No promise. No hope. So, they would ask, isn't it scary? How do you go on each day, if you have no hope.

Going it alone, without faith to back one up is not for everyone. It's not easy being atheist. It means accepting the fact that there is no God, no intelligent design, no greater meaning, no grand scheme, no guarantee that what we do is going to be enough. But it's not difficult either. You don't need to resolve issues of meaning of life, and you don't need to wonder if you're going to heaven or hell, and you don't need to wonder if the people you meet are going either.

There was a movie ("Oh God!" starring George Burns and John Denver) where God (George Burns) comes down and appoints a messenger to spread his new message. He was moved to action because people were saying that God is dead, or worse: that God never existed. His new message (in the movie) to people is this: I exist. I don't interfere anymore but I exist.

But, his appointed messenger (John Denver) asks, if you don't interfere (with miracles) anymore, then what's the point? What does it mean to people? Why should people pray? God exists but he doesn't interfere anymore, so what? We can still make mistakes and blow up the world. We pray, but you don't answer.

Ah. He says. The difference is if God never existed, then how do you know this world will succeed? How do you know this world is even suppose to exist? How do you know that the world won't blow up anyway, in spite of all you do? If there never were a God, then whatever you do could be a big waste of time.

The Difference, he says, is that I made the world, and because I made the world and universe so that it is good, I give you this guarantee: it can work; it can succeed. The trick is, YOU got to make it succeed. All you need to make this world a better place has been given to you. Work with it.

That's why people need faith. To hope and believe that what they do can and will make a difference.

(Of course there are also those who believe because they want to go to a better place, and the miss the whole point of being here. They believe this place is doomed.)

I take a different approach.

I do not know if what we do will make a difference or will make this world a better place.

There are two choices. I can decide that screw it. Chances are it will fail anyway. Everyman for himself. Take what you can. Burn what you can't.

That approach will mean this world will probably have a better chance of failing.

The other option I have is to try to contribute to making this world work a little better.

I'd like to think that I'm on this side of trying to make things a little better and increasing the odds that this world will succeed in not blowing itself up.

And that's my morality.

Maybe there's a God and this can all work out if we make enough good decisions. Maybe there's no God and nothing we do can save this world.

Some people will need to believe. If you do, good for you. Your faith will guide you.
Some won't need to. Good for you too, if you're on the side of working to make this place better.

If one needs a guarantee, then go ahead and believe. If you don't need a guarantee, then hey, welcome to the club. The tools are over there. Get to work..

All there is, is a commitment to making things better. Being there for each other. Helping each other through the rough times. Reminding each other of what we're working for. Growing in our ability to love and connect with each other. Helping each other achieve our full potential, and having a good time while we are doing so.

If we recognise that we are on the same team, pursuing the same ends, then we contribute while we can, and then the team continues with younger souls that we hope we have trained as best we can.

And that is as "forever" as it gets.

2006-12-19T11:57:00.000+08:00

The ultimate feedback and Singapore e-forum

Tired of various e-forums for feedback on Singapore? Save time! Here in a convenient one stop location is the distilled complaints of all the feedback you can find in all forums on Singapore, by Singaporeans in a top ten list format.

Heeeeere we go:

10 National Service and why women should do it, and how it’s so unfair to the men, and how it’s all pointless anyway because in the event of the war, we (i.e. NS men) would run away, because we’re not so stupid as to die for a country that won’t let us chew gum, install satellite TV, walk around naked in our own flat (which is actually leased from HDB anyway), buy a car without COE, and basically let me do what I want.

9 How the COE/ERP/HDB/CPF/(fill-in-the-blank) rules or procedures should be changed so that *I* will benefit.

8 The Education System. How it sucks. Why it sucks. And let me tell you: it sucks. That is why I’m going overseas to study/have gone overseas to study/will emigrate to another country to spare my children the agony of the sick, retarded Singapore education system that makes mindless automatons/uncaring elites unable to take risks, or identify opportunities, or contribute meaningfully to discussion except to moan and complain about why the Government should do something… and… Oh God! I’ve become a product of our sucky education system!

7 We hate PAP/the Government/the Bureaucracy/over-paid civil servants and Ministers because they are just out oppress us and ram hateful policies down our throats, and it’s very difficult to give feedback with their fist down our throats, and how it’s all a conspiracy to keep the PAP in power, and even when they get their damn fists out of our throats its only so they can cover their ears while they pretend to listen to our “feedback” which is basically us vomiting out the policies that they have rammed down our throats. And did we mention: we hate PAP.

6 The high cost of Housing/Public Transport/Hawker food/Water/Electricity/Gas/Viagra/Healthcare/ Education/Rent/etc… and how the service/product quality has fallen… and the Government just don’t understand or don’t want to understand the problems of the people, and are just interested in making themselves look good. I mean what’s the point of being the #1 port in the world when our bus and train fares keep going up?

5 The number of [crime-of-the-month/social-disease-of-the-month/my pet-peeve] has reach epidemic proportions and we must take Drastic Measures to curb/control these social miscreants. We must tax/control/ban/jail/ hang/cane them so that Singapore will be a better place to live in safety, security, contentment, and Bliss.

4 PAP is the Best! [Lee Kuan Yew/Goh Chok Tong/Lee Hsien Loong/Name your favourite political leader] is GOD. Anyone who cannot see the innate goodness of PAP, the Government, Singapore Inc., and our Political Leaders are obviously degenerate, over-liberalised, westernised, radical, retarded, cry-babies, who won’t know a good thing if it fell in their laps. (Note: such posts are usually flamebait - meant to draw out the degenerate, over-liberalised, westernised, radical, retarded cry-babies who don’t know to ignore red-flagged flamebait meant to suck them into a meaningless exchange of words which will only raise their blood pressure, reveal their inadequacies and insecurities, turn the air blue, and reduce the credibility of the forum and the participants.)

3 Personal attacks on other forum participants, which may include denigration of their intelligence, mental capacity, and/or comprehension ability, as well as the insinuations as to one’s sexual orientation, sexual adequacy, parentage, and/or lineage, affiliation to PAP/PAS/Malaysia/USA.

2 We hate Malaysia/Malaysian Politicians/Malaysian media! They want to skin us like a cat, cut our water supply, steal our business, interfere in our land reclamation, take our lighthouse islands, and even send a delegation of their religious fanatic opposition to interfere in our domestic affairs. We should boycott Malaysia, stop shopping in JB, and spit out the water we drink! (unless it’s bottled water from Indonesia - but we hate Indonesia too! They call us a small red dot, accept our food and medical aid one day, and condemn us the next for not giving them free money. We should stop going to Batam! Go to Australia or China for holiday! (Except that we hate those foreigners too! Those damn foreign talents are taking our jobs, dating our men/women and marrying them for their (CPF) money, raising the price of housing, and keeping me from getting married/promoted! )) We hate Malaysians/Indonesians/Foreigners

1 Singapore is such a boring place. There’s nothing to do here. Our national pastime is shopping, eating, and complaining. We have no arts. We have no sports. We have no leisure. We have no soul. We have no spirit. We have no buzz. Our movies are censored. Our lives are predictable. Our thoughts are controlled. Why don’t the government just let me be me? In fact, they should give us incentives to be ourselves. The should set up a “Fund to have Fun”, and a “Be Me” Bonus. Or maybe a “Give me money so I can leave Singapore to go somewhere where I can be myself” fund. Singapore is so Boring.

2006-12-13T01:43:00.000+08:00

Making excuses

Isn't it better to clean up after ourselves than to have people old enough to be our grandparents clean up our mess at hawker centres?

Isn't it better to offer our seats on a crowded train or bus to someone who needs it more, than to pretend that you didn't see them, or to convince yourself that you need the seat more?

Isn't it better to show consideration and courtesy to others than to behave like the world revolves around you and that society owes you?

Isn't it better to contribute to making this world a better place than to make excuses for why you can't?

Because that's all they are - excuses and rationalisations. We shouldn't clean up or the old people won't have jobs.

Sad. And these are the same people that will turn around and scream bloody murder when someone else claims to be "elite", not realising that there's a little elite in them thinking that they have earned the right to be selfish, to ignore the little people, or to condescend to them.

2006-12-05T21:58:00.000+08:00

The Fine Print

Slogan of a local public transit company:
"Going the Extra Mile with you"
The small print:"... and charging you for it."

2006-11-29T01:42:00.000+08:00

Three Stories: Joan's Story

I don't blame him for leaving me.

But I do blame him for betraying me.

He had made his choice after stringing Jane and me along for the longest time. I had told him many times that he had to make his choice. He always promised that he would, but that he couldn't bear to hurt Jane. Finally Jane and I met up. I didn't hate her. Not then. Perhaps not even now. But if he had chosen her, I would probably have been devastated.

But not knowing for sure, not being able to move forward, was worse. So Jane and I met up, and told him he had to choose.

He took Jane aside and spoke quietly to her, his face serious, his brow furrowed, an anxious look on his face.

I could see Jane shrinking as he spoke. His words were hurting her. Her shoulders slumped with defeat. Her lips trembling as she controlled her tears.

She raised her head finally, defiantly, proudly. She said something that apparently surprised and startled John. But then she went on and I could see the tension flow out of John. His shoulders eased and relaxed.

I guess she was telling him that she accepted his decision. He was saying something else, when she leaned forward to hold him awkwardly as he tried not to return the hug. She kissed him on the cheek and let him go. Goodbye, her lips moved, then she turned and walked away without looking back.

I thought she carried herself rather well in this her time of defeat. I caught myself feeling sorry for her, and told myself, she wouldn't want my pity. Well, she had my respect, then.

John turned to me after watching her go. He looked up and smiled wryly at first. Then he allowed his smile to broadened. I smiled in return.

We got married soon after and just before our first anniversary, I got pregnant. He was so excited.It was the happiest time of our lives. Really. Because after that first year, I was never that happy again.

I miscarried in the 11th week. Miscarry. Yeah. My fault. I carried it wrong, it seem to say.

I felt so lost. Up till then the life growing in me had been a miracle. I could feel it. Could sense it. Could talk to it. Could almost believe that it understood me.

Then it was gone. Suddenly I felt so alone.

John tried to cheer me up. I did appreciate him trying, but it was not something I felt he understood. His attempts sometimes depressed me even more. It was not his fault. II doubt if anyone or anything could have made a difference.

It was months before I finished grieving. And a little longer before I gathered enough courage to try again. I remembered thinking that I appreciated John's patience in waiting for me to be ready. If only I knew...

I got pregnant again, but did not dare tell anyone for fear of jinxing the pregnancy. John and I had a quiet celebration and prayed for a safe delivery.

But again it was not to be. This second loss hit me harder. I wondered if there was something wrong with me. John tried to assure me. But this second loss drove doubts deep into my heart and it stayed there like a raw, sensitive, festering sore. The doctors consolation were medical and mechanical. I was probably just another unlucky woman to them.

The one good thing was that John learned from the first time and did not try too hard to console me. After a few days of grieving with me, he told me he had to go back to the office and promptly buried himself in work.

I guess men are better at dealing with loss. What is gone is gone for them. For me, perhaps for women in general, we feel more. It is not just a foetus. It was alive! It was part of me. It was my child. I lived only a short while. We didn't even know its sex. It never even had a name. But it was my child. I had to grieve because there was no one else to grieve for it.

John grieved for a while, but mostly he worried about me. Which was why he never realised it was not about me. He never really got that. Which was why I knew he couldn't really understand.

But bless him, he was persistent. He gave me space to grieve, but he would call from the office, call while on the road, call while having lunch just to see if I was alright. He would SMS when he thought I would be asleep. He kept trying and trying, that after a while I felt bad about shutting him out. So once in a while I would make it a point to get out of the house for dinner. I would try just to make him happy, let him know that he hadn't lost me completely. But I wasn't done with grieving for my two lost children. That would take time.

He was patient and persistent. And one morning, I realised that I had cried it out of my system. I had given enough recognition to my second child. Just as I had with my first. I could almost sense that they were telling me, yes, we know how much you loved us. Now go love yourself.

John and I went dancing that night. My idea, but in a sense, my children's idea. I danced with John, but I danced for my children as well. It was the most fun we've had for a long time.

I got pregnant again. We were hopeful again. And our hopes were dashed again.

This time, I wept not just for my child, but also for me and my husband.

I don't care how strong a person you are but after 3 miscarriages, you will have doubts. You will wonder what God's plan is for you. You will question your faith. And you will curse fate and destiny.

I so wanted to hear those comforting words that John had told me after the first and the second losses. But it seemed he had run out of words just when I most needed to hear them.

Tell me again how it is not my fault because I'm starting to believe that it is my fault. Tell me again that you love me because I'm starting to wonder if there's anything to love. Stay with me again, because I don't think I want to be alone this time.

But I couldn't bring myself to ask him.

The silence dragged on, and he finally asked, "will you be alright?"

I lied with my nod.

He seemed to want to believe my lie.

"I'll call you later. See if there's anything you need."

I NEED YOU! I telepathed to him. But I guess he's not telepathic.

He left. But I was not alone. Grief was there. So was Doubt. Uncertainty hung about. Self-recrimination paid a visit. Despair came by and stayed for a long while. Loneliness wrapped itself about me, selfishly.

But I was a good host and entertained all of them.

John started to withdraw from me. I guess I couldn't blame him. After three miscarriage is there still anything left to say? That hadn't already been said with greater conviction at an earlier time.

He buried himself in work, and let himself be sent off on overseas assignments and conferences. It was good exposure and would stand him i n good stead for promotion.

It was while he was away on one of these conferences that Jane came by. With his 12 month old son.

His betrayal was complete. He had told Jane of my miscarriages, and Jane had borne not just his son, but also his daughter previously. But his daughter had succumbed to a fever and died at the age of two.

I must say I admire Jane's courage and ability to read the situation and the people in the situation. She told me that John would never leave me of his own accord. He was a man of his word. He had chosen me all those years ago, and would not go back on his choice.

But he wasn't happy. Neither was I. Jane said she was not happy either.

She would like her son to grow up with his father, but that was up to me. It was up to me to let him go so that he could be a father to his son. I could choose not to do so. That was my right, and John would respect and uphold that right. But we would never be happy again.

She was right. I could hate her, wish her dead, scream, deny, and be stubborn about it, but she was right.

John may have chosen me all those years ago, but it was time for me to "un-choose" him.

I got a lawyer two days after Jane's visit, and when John came back, I gave him the papers to sign.

I could have confronted him, interrogated him, trip him up, see how he tried to lie his way out of it, but it wouldn't have changed a thing. He would still have a son with Jane, and I would still have lost 3 children.

Jane got to me at the right time. I was too tired to fight.

There was nothing left to fight for.

2006-11-27T23:57:00.000+08:00

Three Stories: John's Story

Most people have one chance at happiness.

I guess I'm luckier than most.

I met Jane and Joan at about the same time. I had just started work, and Joan was a friend of a friend. I met her at my friend's housewarming. She was sweet and funny, attentive and delicate, and always calm and poised. At the housewarming, the house was in danger of overheating when the wok caught fire while my friend was cooking. While someone was rushing about trying to get a fire extinguisher, and another was planning to dump water into the wok, Joan took the wok cover, covered the fire, turned off the heat, and turned up the smoke ventilator. I think I fell in love with her then.

At about the same time Jane was my colleague and project work threw us together. We worked late, we worked long, and we worked very closely. I got to know her like I knew few other women. I saw her fight for the project, sell the idea to the client, and work hard to make it work. And I found myself respecting her for her strengths. Respect turned to admiration. And admiration to love. And when we celebrated the end of the project, one thing led to another, and well...

Which made my decision very hard.

I loved both of them, and both of them loved me. I had to make a decision, but it was a life changing decision. What if I made the wrong decision? I would have to live with the decision.

But the truth was, I was not thinking that I would make the wrong decision. With either of them, the decision cannot but be right. The problem in my mind, was how could I hurt either of them. Whatever I decide, one would be hurt.

Yes. I was weak. It took the two of them to present me with an ultimatum before I chose.

I chose Joan.

As I told Jane my decision I knew that she would be strong enough to take it. Did this perhaps influence my decision? I don't know.

I remember that day quite well. After I told Jane, she kept quiet for a while, composing herself. Then she told me she had missed her period last month. The doctors confirmed that she was pregnant. But she had taken care of it.

For a brief moment between her telling me that she was pregnant and that she had aborted the baby, I wanted to run to Joan and tell her that I had changed my mind. I was sorry, but I had made Jane pregnant and I had to do the honourable thing. For a moment I thought I glimpsed the light at the end of the tunnel, and I had an excuse to chose Jane.

Then she said she had "taken care of it".

I wanted to say, "you should've told me. We would have worked something out. We should have made the decision together!" But it was Jane. She was a strong independent woman. She would have hated me for interfering with her decision and she was strong enough to make her own decision and to stick to it.

I did not see her after that. She gave notice at the office and left the company and the country.

Joan and I got married and it was the happiest time of our lives.

About a year into the marriage. Joan told me she was pregnant. Impending parenthood was a time of excitement and anticipation. We planned our kid's future, what to call him or her, which school to go to, whether to migrate to spare our child the rigours of the local education system, care arrangements, whether to get a maid or not.

Then we lost the baby. It hit us both hard. But for women, the loss I can imagine is worse. She took time away from work. Lost her appetite for food and for life. Didn't seem to want to climb out of the depression she had sunk into.

I tried to get her out of the house, but she wasn't interested. I cooked her meals, but she just picked at the food, then said she was tired, and went back to bed.

All the while I was also in pain, both for the lost of baby, and what this loss was doing to Joan. I remembered thinking that before the pregnancy and after the miscarriage, we were objectively the same. Then why were we so happy before and so miserable after?

Logically, we should have been able to go back to being happy. But I couldn't. Joan couldn't.

Not for a while.

It was while Joan and I were separately dealing with our loss that Jane showed up. It was a surprise to me and I remembered telling myself: don't mentioned the miscarriage. The last thing I should be doing is to turn to Jane as a confidante when Joan was depressed. I couldn't betray Joan by telling Jane about how unhappy we were.

But I needn't have worried. Jane came with her own baggage and her own loss.

She told me that she lied when she said she had had an abortion. She kept the child and went away to start anew with her daughter. Our daughter, Jessica. She told me that Jessica was a beautiful child. A sweet little girl that was the joy of her mother.

Then she died.

We sat there quietly in grief. I had lost my daughter even before I knew I had one. And Jane had tried to raise the child alone without help or support. I should've been there for her but I wasn't. But now in her moment of loss, she needed to share that burden with the father of her child.

We sat together quietly. We said nothing because there was no words to say. Just holding each other. I took her back to her hotel, but I didn't want to just leave her there like that. I went up with her to stay awhile.

Well, awhile stretched out.

Over the next few days I saw her almost everyday. Then she had to fly off again. I told to her call if she ever needed to talk again. And I lied to myself that the last few days never happened, and my wife needn't know about it. My story with Jane needed closure and the last few days was just... closure.

Jane's visit gave me strength to try again to break Joan out of her depression. Perhaps my renewed efforts worked this time. Perhaps Joan was ready to end her mourning. Whatever it was, things became normal enough in the bedroom that soon after Joan told me not to get too excited, but that the doctor had confirmed she was pregnant again.

We agreed that it was best to keep it quiet for the moment, but we did have a quiet celebration and prayed for a healthy child.

We lost the baby just over a month later.

Joan was devastated and in shock. It seemed like she couldn't stop crying. I cried with her until I had no tears. But hers would well up again.

After three days, I told her I had to go back to work. She roused herself just enough to tell me not to worry about her. She just needed time to grief.

As I left that morning I thought about how this strong, assured woman had become so crippled by grief and tears again welled up in my eyes.

I was glad to be back in the office and buried myself in work. But at the end of the day, I once again faced the prospect of going back home and being unable to do anything for Joan.

I felt so helpless.

I don't know why, but I called Jane then.

She was happy to hear from me, but became silent when I told her my news.

I knew I shouldn't share my burden with her. It was not just mine to share.. And letting someone else know about our problems, our pain was a betrayal of Joan. But being strong for Joan all the time was taking a toll on me and I needed to unburden my pain as well. I tried to be there for her, but I seem to be having no effect. In the meantime, she had shut me out.

I guess I just needed someone to talk to. And Jane had shared her pain with me. We had shared a loss too. So I told her. And she listened.

It felt good telling someone. We talked for hours. Well, mostly I talked. I hung up feeling better, and if not stronger, at least re-energised to face and help Joan face our pain.

Over the next few weeks I was tempted to call Jane again whenever things were rough. But I knew if I went that way, it would lead to other things. As it was, I wasn't sure that I should have called her at all. But I felt like I was suffocating, claustrophobic, dealing with the pain of the loss and Joan's loss. Perhaps I was selfish but I couldn't spend day after day, hour after hour dwelling on the loss. Life goes on.

But it should go on with Joan. So whenever I felt like calling Jane, I made it a point to call Joan instead. It could just be to see how she was, or to make plans for the evening if she felt like going out. Slowly, we managed to pull through our grief. But now sex was coupled with anxiety. So we took it slow. She needed time, and frankly, I needed to... I don't know what I needed.

Things got better. She started to eat more, smile more, laugh more. Then one evening she dressed up and we went dancing.

I hadn't danced since we were dating, but I could sense she wanted to return to those happy times when we had not lost anything, and the future was full of promise. So we danced like we were younger and more innocent, and she became again the woman I married, strong, assured, and positive about the future.

But when she told me she was pregnant yet again, I found I had to fake a little of the excitement. A cold hard lump sat at the bottom of my heart. Logically, the doctors had said that miscarriage for the first pregnancy is not uncommon. 2 miscarriages in a row is less common but it happens. Still to re-assure us, the doctors had run tests and found that there was nothing wrong with Joan.

We were hopeful and fearful, but we didn't dare talk about our fears, as if talking about them would give them life. So we kept them locked inside, and put on brave fronts for each other.

Whatever it was, whatever was going on between us, in spite of it, regardless of it, or because of it, we lost the third pregnancy too.

I called Jane when the silence in the home became unbearable. When I had no more to give. When I did not know what else to say. When I had said everything previously, and repeating them just sounded so hollow.

I needed someone to share the pain, and Joan had more than enough pain and didn't seem to see me as a fellow sufferer.

So I called Jane.

I just told her that Joan had a third miscarriage. And that I was tired of being brave, of being strong, and I wished that Joan would let me in, let us cry together, and tell each other that we don't have to pretend to be brave for each other. That we could grieve together.

And Jane just listened. She knew exactly what she didn't have to say. I only remembered that she said that I could call again if I needed to talk.

I needed to talk about a month later when Joan had a particularly bad day. Then a week later. Then more often.

My need to talk became my want. I started to look forward to our talks and messages and emails. I was aware that after a time, I felt like I was burdening her, so I started to ask her how she was. And then we shared mundane things, then funny stories, then more personal stuff.

But I could feel that she was still guarded, not completely letting me in. There were times she started saying something, only to catch herself and then change the subject.

Then there was a conference I had to attend. It was where Jane had settled. I was anxious and excited when I emailed Jane the details of my visit. We arranged to meet at my hotel. I brought her a present.

She brought Josh and introduced me to our son.

As I held him, I found myself letting go of all the frustrations and denied hopes and just wondering what this boy would grow up to be, how I could teach him, guide him, be a father to him... and then I realised I had a problem.

I could not leave Joan. We had been through too much. But how do I be a father to my son?

I left my heart there with Jane and our son. I left without a plan or a purpose. I left hopeful and yet, hopeless.

Perhaps it was good that it was "conference" season. I had to go for another one a week later, so I didn't have to face Joan.

When I got back however, Joan was ready to face me.

Apparently Jane had been by to see Joan and told her about Josh. A part of me was furious with Jane for forcing the issue, but the issue at hand, the woman at present was Joan. Whatever had been said between the two had been settled. Now it was between Joan and me.

She had been betrayed and she was both furious and hurt. She called me quite a few things. I probably deserved most of it. I was sorry things turned out this way. I guess like every other man in a similar situation, I didn't intend to hurt her... but I did.

"So where do we go from here?"

She gave me the documents to sign.

"Is this what you want?"

Her silence spoke eloquently.

2006-11-24T19:18:00.000+08:00

Three Stories: Jane's Story

He broke my heart when he chose Joan over me.

I thought then that it was probably for the best. It was not a situation that could have lasted. At least, I couldn't have accepted it.

Joan and I finally met after months of uncertainty. John was dating both of us. We knew of each other and we both told John he had to make a decision soon. Soon dragged on to later. Finally, Joan and I found each other and had a heart to heart.

We told John he had to choose.

A part of me was weak enough to tell John that I was pregnant. But in view of the uncertainty, I had had an abortion. Perhaps I shouldn't have told him that. Perhaps that was what made him decide against me.

He chose Joan.

I left the country after that. There was the usual reasons - getting over a heartbreak, starting anew. Hiding my growing pregnancy, and giving birth in a country with less stigma for a single mother.

Jessica was a joy. And for 2 years, she was my proud little secret. A part of John that would be with me forever.

It was not to be. She had a fever, an infection and passed away just a month before her 2nd birthday.

For a time, I could not find the energy to get out of bed. I quit my job and stayed home.
I did not know what to do. There was no purpose anymore. No more joy. No more meaning.

Then I went back. Perhaps I was weak. I just wanted to let him know that he had a daughter and what a sweet little girl she was. What a joy she had been to me, and how he would have loved her.

I could see he took the news hard. First the shock of realising that he had a daughter after all, that I had not aborted her. Then the dashed hopes from her death.

Was I cruel? To give him the news all at once. To raise his hopes, and then to kill it all within moments?

Strangely, it seemed like it had all happened in just a while. That the past was not 3 years, but just the memory of three years.

I sobbed quietly, not wishing to make a scene. I felt him sit down beside me. Felt his arms around my shoulders. And let myself bury my face into his shoulders. It seemed so natural to let him comfort me. So natural to want to hold onto his comfort and ask him to take me up to my room. Just so natural...

I left a week later. A little happier and a little ashamed. But she had him for life, and all I wanted was just a few moments. I know I had no right, but... we had shared so much, and I had sacrificed so much. I had no right, but I too deserved a little happiness, don't I?

My little "happiness" grew. This time it was a boy.

When he called about 3 months after I left I wanted to tell him. But again I did not. I did not know why. I told him I had an abortion all those years ago because a part of me did not want him to do the honourable thing and choose me over Joan. I did not want that advantage. He had to choose me because he wanted me, not because I was pregnant.

This time around, perhaps a part of me was selfish and wanted this child for myself. But I realised that again I did not want him to choose me simply because I was pregnant.

Then he told me about his wife's second miscarriage. We spoke for 3 hours that night. Or rather, he spoke and I listened. He started out tentative. Not sure if I was on his side. Not sure if I still cared.

Of course I did!

He was exhausted. His wife had taken the first miscarriage quite hard. But he was there for her. The second time hit her even harder. He found the strength to be there for her, but he needed someone to share his sorrow too.

I understood now the look on his face when I told him I had little Jessica. It was such a look of longing and of pain. How it must hurt when he learned of her short life.

I told him to call again if he needed to talk. But I did not tell him about the child growing in me. At that point, it would have been cruel.

I did not hear from him till about a year later. The son he did not know about, Josh was about 6 mths old.

Joan had had another miscarriage. He was devastated, exhausted, grieving, and yet had to be strong for his wife who was full of doubt about her self-worth. His constant reassurance was wearing his patience down. He wanted so much to breakdown but he couldn't for his wife's sake.
My heart ached for him when he said he needed to talk to me. I wanted so much to catch the first flight back to be with him, but of course I couldn't.

I said we could talk again, if he needed a listening ear. Then we hung up.
I was surprised to hear from him just a month later. Joan was better physically, but emotionally, she was shakened and uncertain. He was still assuring her of his love and support, but he didn't have to tell me how mechanical it was starting to sound.

He called again two weeks later. And then the week after. Our conversations moved from his depression, to reminiscing about old times. He sent me SMS-es almost everyday.
I was looking forward to them and beginning to feel happy. All the while though, I worried about how to tell him about Josh.

Then, last November, he said he was coming to visit.

I met him at his hotel. And I introduced him to his 12 mth old son. I could read the awe on his face. He cleared his throat but never took his eyes off Josh's face. Josh was sleeping like an angel. Unaware that his father was taking him into his arms.

Most men would ask for permission and would be hesitant about carrying an infant, but John carried Josh without hesitation. I will always remember that look of joyful wonder on his face.
We spent just 3 days together. I apologised for not telling him about Josh. He accepted my explanation that i felt it was not right for me to tell him of his child when he and his wife had lost theirs.

When he left, he took a part of my heart with him. I could see that he would rather be with me, but he was a man of his word. He would not leave his wife. Even though the love was over, there was still the empty marriage.

He had broken my heart all those years ago. I had thought I had moved on. I could accept that it was not my fate to be with him if he would be happier with another, but I could see that he was no longer happy with her.

So the choice was for 3 people to be unhappy. He with her. She with herself. And I without him.
Or maybe 2 of us could be happy?

I flew back with Josh a month later.

John was on another business trip. But that was fine. I wanted to see Joan.

My meeting with Joan was... not pleasant. I hated myself for doing what I did to her, but I had to be honest to the situation, and to John, and I'd really like to have Josh have a father. I was sorry for Joan, but not so sorry that I would let her situation drag us all down.

To her credit, Joan took it... as well as could be expected.

When John came back, Joan... spoke to him. He signed the papers. It will be a while before it is final. She left their matrimonial home that same day.

2006-11-13T19:23:00.000+08:00

It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness...
But it is a far, far better thing to blow out the candle, embrace the darkness, and get some well-deserved rest.

Give a man a fish, and he'll eat for a day. Teach him to fish and very soon, all his neighbours will want to learn how to fish and the seas will be depleted and we'll run out of seafood in 40 years time!

If you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
If you have a gun, everything looks like a target.
If you have a bottle of tequila, efvrythig loops jaz grat.

So I got this letter of appointment when they hired me. I wonder if they'll give me a letter of disappointment when they fire me.

If all the world's a stage... I wish they'll hurry up and call a rehearsal. I dunno what I'm doing.

The one good thing you can say about men is that we have never used sex to get what we want... Sex is what we want!

Life is too short to spend making enemies. Eternity is too long to spend with the enemies you made.

2006-11-13T14:42:00.000+08:00

Some entrepreneurial ideas

Love Motels
Yes we have Hotel 81, but we don't have love motels. These don't have to be sleazy. In fact they could be downright romantic (okay and sleazy too). The key idea of love motels is that they provide a place for romantic interludes from the elegant to the tacky. Rose-scented baths, candle light and aromatherapy, ambience, jacuzzi, massaging showers, waterbeds, etc.

The idea is not to provide a place just for a quickie, but an escape to relive the romance.

Promotional rates for exact anniversary dates (bring marriage cert), anniversary months, couples with more than 2 kids, etc.

Air Plain
Okay, not exactly a fresh idea. Just a kind of joke name for a budget airline: Air Plain. Save money on painting the aircrafts. Any plain sheet of paper is your letterhead. Flight crew don't need uniforms or their uniforms are a plain white t-shirt. Including the captain.

2006-11-10T11:04:00.000+08:00

Being Chinese in Singapore

Michael Wee wrote ("English isn't the Enemy" Today, Nov 6) that English-speaking Singaporeans (particularly Anglophone Chinese) are labelled as "acting ang mo", and that it is "almost a crime" for a Chinese not to claim Mandarin as the first language or mother-tongue.

Wong Hoong Hooi replied ("A culture of Superiority" Today, Nov 8) that English-Speaking Chinese Singaporeans (ESCS) prefer being ang mo based on this observation: "There are very few Chinese Singaporeans who speak, act and think like the Chinese in China, while there are many ESCS who speak, act and think like they are ang mohs from the US, UK, of 'Oz'."

I think it is great that the Chinese Speaking, Chinese Singaporeans don't act like the Chinese in China. They don't spit (as much), talk as loud, take off their shirts in public (at least not on Orchard Road), take off their shoes and sleep in the aisles of planes, jump queues, etc.

In fact, the Chinese Speaking Chinese Singaporeans act a little more like "ang mohs". But the ESCS are more so?

The point is that there is high culture and there is low culture. The low culture of the Chinese includes all those "ugly Chinese" traits that the typical (or is that stereotyping?) Chinese engage in, and which the Chinese government is trying to eradicate.

But Wong was probably thinking of high culture... but how to define this high culture?

At a sufficiently high level, most if not all higher principles transcends culture. Appreciation of beauty and aesthetics? Pursuit of Wisdom? Altruistic values? Magnamity? All these are in all cultures. What is different is perhaps the expressions of such values or principles.

Thus the cultured Chinese may find the water colour paintings of mountain, and rivers aesthetically pleasing. And the western oriented gentleman may find Rubenesque portraits as pleasing. Is one better than the other?

The cheap trick of demogogic bigots is to compare the high culture of one (Tang dynasty poetry) with the low culture of another (B movies from Hollywood?) and proclaim superiority.

That is unfair. Just as unfair as using the "ugly Chinese" as sole representation of Chinese culture.

The simple matter is that Michael Wee is right. A Sino-phile will never consider it the duty of a Malay to learn Chinese language and culture. But this expectation is a given if one is Chinese. Why?

Because one is Chinese? That's circular logic, and it doesn't answer the question.

If one MUST learn Chinese language and culture simple because one is Chinese, then does it not also follow that one must practice ancestor worship, which is fundamental to Chinese values, if not confucionism? Must not one also be a Taoist, or more precisely the unique blend of Taoism and Buddhism that is so quintessentially Chinese?

How are these values separate from Chinese culture?

If you find a Chinese Singaporean with blond hair, is he more likely to be a) primarily English speaking, or b) Chinese/Dialect speaking?

So who's trying to be ang mo?

2006-11-09T19:07:00.000+08:00

New laws

Singapore's penal code is being revised to better reflect current social mores. So anal and oral sex between heterosexuals will now be decriminalised. However, homosexuals are still in jeopardy. This reflects the changing social mores.

In addition it will now be a crime to engage in sexually penetrative acts with a corpse. Apparently this is now such a prevalent and pervasive (and perverse) act that society now frowns upon this hitherto legal act. It was not a crime in our parent's times. How times (and mores) have changed.

So if you are thinking of sexually penetrative acts with a corpse you are advised to exercise restraint and restrict yourself to just heavy petting. There's no law against that. Yet.

2006-11-06T14:06:00.000+08:00

Plain Train & Automobile

From a snap poll from STI, 93% of people said they would not switch to a car even if they can afford it. 89% said their preferred mode of transport was the Taxi.

So I guess only 4% (93 - 89) actually will take mass transport (Bus or MRT).

Probably good news for cabbies.

Should you get a car?

First determine how much time you would save by having a car.
So if your daily bus/MRT ride to work takes 60mins, but the car just takes 30 minutes, you save 30mins per trip. Add the evening trip if the travel time is different because of differing traffic conditions. (In this case, we'll assume it's the same.)

So you save 1 hr a day.

Now estimate how much it costs you to save 1 hr a day.
Take the cost of a car as $50,000 (including COE). Assume a lifespan of 10 years, that's $5,000 per year.
Annual maintenance, fuel, insurance, parking, etc - $8,000. (no fines, damages, accidents, etc)
Total annual cost: $13,000
Monthly costs: call it $1,000.
Daily cost: $33 (30 days)

So to save 1 hour a day, it would cost you $33.

Next determine how much is your per hour rate. If you earn $2000 a month, working 40 hrs a week in an office (or 8hrs a day for 5 days), your hourly rate is about $11

So in order to save 1 hour a day, you need to work 3 hours.

Worth buying the car yet?

2006-11-06T13:56:00.000+08:00

A Trolley, A Wheelchair, and a Candy Store

A candy store in Vivocity has got bad publicity becase it had put up a sign saying wheelchairs and trolleys are not allowed in the store.

Probably a bad idea to disallow the wheelchair.

But you may noticed that a lot of stores are ridiculous when it comes to aisle space. Most Fairprice stores have unreasonable space for the aisles usually made worse by haphazard placement of stores. They should have new jingle.

"Our prices are low,
Our aisles are narrow,
We're stuffed full of things,
So you can't get in."

2006-11-05T04:06:00.000+08:00

What does it all mean?

There is a Singaporean Fantasy Wish. It goes something like this:

Indonesia should just let us buy Batam. We can then build it up and solve our land scarcity problems, and all the related problems.

That is of course the simplistic view. It would solve some problems, but present others of course. But that's not relevant here.

Malaysia has unveiled a US$105b plan to develop southern Johor, and create a free access zone where Visitors from Singapore can live and work (and even retire).

This is a very clever solution to the problem of competition. Instead of competing, the KL govt has made an interesting unilateral move to allow cooperation, and spillover economic development and benefits. Think about it.

The two ports in Johor can better serve as support bases. Goods can enter by Singapore ports and be transferred to Johor ports for onward delivery. The disadvantage of Johor ports lacking connectivity is partially solved.
Land and homes prices in southern Johor will rise as Singaporeans consider living there and working in Singapore. Or even moving their business there.
Bridal saloons offering wedding packages to Singaporeans will see even more business. Singapore-based companies may move there.
Nursing homes there can have Singaporean clients and not need to send them back once a month to renew the visa. (Yes, you can leave your parents there and forget about them).

Of course there will be issues to resolve. It is still not going to be as convenient as staying in Singapore. The causeway may eventually need to be widen or (gasp!) be replaced by a bridge to cater for the increase in traffic. A rail system integrated with the MRT line would be very good. A third link in the east might even be needed (and linked to the NE line perhaps?)

Concerns that Singaporeans have would include crime, but there are plans to address that. Another concern is stability. With the current administration, all is fine and dandy. Cooperation is the order of the day. And we can be assured that the Free Access Zone will allow us free access.

But if nationalistic fervour erupts, if ground sentiments about rising prices, and being priced out of Southern Johor grow, if overzealous Islamic police make midnight visits to homes and rouse the "visitors from Singapore" and rallying calls for "bumiputra" (sons of the earth) destabilises the situation, there would be a lot of loss and heartache. The Malaysian foreign minister gives one pause. He blows with the wind. Under MM (Mahathir Mohd), he was stridently anti-Singapore. But with the current PM, he's all niceness and fairness. I guess he knows which side his bread is buttered.

Over time some of the competiveness will narrow. Prices in Johor will increase as wages and land costs increase (because Singaporeans always spoil the market). :-)

But never mind. For now it is a good thing. And I applaud Malaysia for their astute leaders.

Of course Mahathir will just have a field day criticising this plan. Maybe they'll shut him up if they tell him it is the grand plan to build his bridge. But of course he may choose to see it as the "kowtowing" PM selling Malaysia piece by piece to Singapore.

Oh on a side issue, Anwar says he pities Mahathir. That must really sting Dr M. :)

2006-11-04T16:08:00.000+08:00

We need to bridge our difference

The news reported recently that more and more Singaporeans are spending their golden years in nursing homes in Johor, Malaysia. The advantage are it's cheaper than Singapore's nursing homes but the quality of care is just as good. One downside is that every month the residents have to make the trip back to Singapore, stay overnight, then go back cos the visa is only for 30 days.

Hell, there's a bargaining chip for Malaysia. They'll give special visa for these nursing home residents if Singapore will agree to the bridge. Think of the savings Singapore get from not needing to build all the wheelchair ramps and lifts for the elderly. On the downside, those old folks that could look forward to a trip home at least once a month, now will be forgotten by their families for months at a time.

Hell, here's another idea! If Singapore agrees to the bridge, the old folks in Johor's nursing home will get a special express lane to return to Singapore every month so they don't have to queue in jam.

But no. Malaysia has created "passport-free zones" in Johor where visitors from Singapore will be exempt from immigration and custom clearance (STI 3rd Nov). The new regulation will not limit the stay. Sounds like the Malaysian authorities are making it easy for nursing homes to cater to Singaporeans. Nice of them. No mention was made of the Bridge in exchange for this unilateral move on their part to "promote tourism."

I wonder if our Airforce planes can also visit briefly, without passport of course, whenever they take off from Tengah?

Of course this also sets up the interesting situation of visitors requiring to pass through Malaysian Customs and Immigration while still in Singapore at Tanjong Pagar railway station, but not needing a passport while in Southern Johor.

Married couples may want to bring their marriage certs tho, in case the Islamic Police come knocking on your door at 2.00 am accusing you of Khalwat (happened to a nice retired American Christian couple on Langkawi in Oct 06.)

2006-10-31T21:30:00.000+08:00

The road to hell is paved with good intentions

Two weeks ago a wretched man decided he couldn't cope.
He gave his family his last dollar, and then he gave up hope.
He threw himself onto the path of an onrushing train
He ended it all, his hopes, his dreams, but most of all his pain.

The news reported his tragic end, and played up the sad story
The people read about his family and they all felt rather sorry
So they opened first their hearts to them and then their wallets too
And did for the family what the dead man could ne'er hope to do.

Half a million did they collect to help them thru their grief
It was incredible, the cash flowed in, so short a time so brief.
What worried me was the encouragement and what others might try to do
If that family could get that much, what might they get too?

So yesterday at Clementi another one met his end
Did he perhaps also hoped his death might make amends?
Did he hope his poignant end might touch the public's heart
And lead the people once again to do their charitable part?

It's very sad, it's crazy, mad - that this is how some cope
If life's too hard, just end it all, in death you might give hope
But sadder still that an act or will of charity has beget
Not the promise of better days, but instead bitter sad regret

The people all had good intent but hell is paved with them
Their charity brought hope perhaps, but it also tempt
Those who might have struggled still instead have now decided
That hope lies not with struggling, but in ending life suicided

2006-10-28T00:22:00.000+08:00

Samsung has unveiled the Samsun K5, MPEreedom with a slide out speakers so you can share your life's soundtrack everywhere! With your friends! Your Neighbours! The Sleepy Ah Pek on the bus next to you. The irritated office worker who's just trying to get a peaceful ride home after a hard day's work. The harried mother who had just managed to shush her colicky infant just 3 seconds before you boarded the bus with your K5 blasting the latest cool House Techno crap you and your beng frens call music.

Yeah. Just what the world needs. Kind people who just want to share their... music with the rest of an uncaring world.

2006-10-23T19:44:00.000+08:00

Whose fault is it?

The New Paper reported (oct 21) that a Guest DJ at the New Asia Bar got mad at the patrons who kept asking him to spin R&B tracks when his forte was sexy minimal techno house dance tracks.

When he decided enough was enough, he said he would spin what he liked and the patrons could leave if they didn't like it.

Whose fault is it? The patrons for being dull, closed-minded boors who just wanted to listen to comfortable but tired old tracks?

The DJ for being such a diva and insisting on playing his music instead of what the customers wanted?

No. The fault lies with the management of the bar who picked the guest DJ. They knew what he spun and they knew what their customers go to their bar for. What made them think that the what the DJ played would satisfy their customer?

2006-10-14T02:57:00.000+08:00

A Singaporean is someone who obsesses over what it means to be Singaporean.

A Singaporean is one who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.

A Singaporean is someone who complains that the government is controlling everything! And that the government should do something about it.